Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., published a 1,141-page diary of Dr. Anthony Fauci’s private reflections during the pandemic over the weekend, ahead of Fauci’s appearance before a Senate committee on Wednesday. The document, initially taken down and later reposted with redactions, includes private entries from December 2019 to December 2022, revealing insights into Fauci’s private thinking on the origins of the virus and the U.S. response.

Public vs. Private Statements

Paul, who has long questioned Fauci’s public statements on the origins of the virus, highlighted discrepancies between what Fauci wrote privately and what he told the public. In a post on X, Paul said, “What he wrote privately and what he told the country are two different stories.” The diary includes a January 26, 2020, entry in which Fauci noted that using epidemiological and genomic data, the first infection was not connected to the market in China, according to Fortune.

Media and Celebrity Mentions

Some of the diary entries reflect Fauci’s 2024 memoir and prior interviews, but others reveal unexpected details. Fauci wrote about meeting actor Julia Roberts and witnessing former President Donald Trump gasping for oxygen during hospitalization. Fauci’s diary also included frequent references to being in the spotlight, with the word “award” appearing 80 times and “hero” appearing 49 times. “Prensa” (media) appeared 641 times, according to Fox News. Notably, the diary did not include mentions of “peer review,” “meta-analysis,” or “risk-benefit ratio,” raising questions about the scientific rigor of his public messaging.

Criticism and Public Reaction

The diary has drawn sharp criticism online, with some calling Fauci a “true villain” in U.S. history. Clay Travis of Outkick urged followers to read the document, while media figure Dana Loesch called the diary “one of the most shocking things I’ve ever read.” Piers Morgan described Fauci as a “narcissist craving fame” who said different things in private and public. Despite initial media indifference, the diary sparked heated discussions on X and other platforms, with critics arguing Fauci prioritized his public image over scientific transparency.

Fauci, who retired from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the end of 2022, declined to answer further questions during a recent Senate hearing, invoking the Fifth Amendment. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the diary was obtained from government computers and provided to the GOP-led committee. Fauci and Paul did not respond to an NPR request for comment before publication.